Chapter 65
When Seren returned to the second floor, Seth was already waiting for her.
They walked together to Seth’s office, and only after he closed the door did he begin.
“This time, Mr. Shepherd offered two hundred thousand. After the final payment, it came to three hundred thousand. I’ll wire it to you in a bit p>
Normally, the studio took a commission from the artist’s pay, but Seth wasn’t taking a cut-clearly giving her special treatment.
Seren shook her head. “There’s no need to treat me differently. Just give me the usual split, after the studio’s commission p>
She didn’t like taking advantage of people.
She and Seth had known each other for years and got along well, but when it came to money or business, Seren believed everything should be aboveboard- even among friends. That was the best way to keep a relationship healthy.
Plus, the canvases, paints, brushes, even the clients-those were all from the studio. She was only providing her skills. Taking the entire payment herself didn’t sit right with her.
Seth came from an old-money family and hardly needed the extra cash, but Seren was determined to take only what she’d earned.
Seth looked surprised for a moment, then gave a small smile. “You’re the only person I know who’d turn down extra money p>
“I couldn’t have landed this commission without you,” he insisted. “Take the whole thing. You just got married, and you probably haven’t settled in yet. This payment is enough to get yourself a place here in Seaside City p>
Seth had Seren’s number and had seen her posts online. He didn’t care much about luxury, so he hadn’t noticed her wedding ring was worth a fortune. He simply assumed she’d married an ordinary guy.
Newlyweds needed a home. In Seaside City, property prices were sky-high. Three hundred thousand could just about buy a decent apartment downtown.
“Thank you, Seth, I appreciate the thought, but I’ve already settled in,” Seren replied gently but firmly.
She insisted, and Seth didn’t press the matter.
Always the gentleman, he relented. “Alright. Normally it’s a 70-30 split, but this time let’s do 80-20. If not for you, I wouldn’t have gotten this job. You deserve the lion’s share p>
Seren nodded. It was a fair compromise-sometimes it wasn’t right to keep refusing someone’s kindness, especially when it was reasonable.
Seth got her account details and transferred the money on the spot, efficient as
ever.
He smiled as he handed her back her phone. “Alright, take care of your wedding stuff for the next few days. If anything comes up, I’ll give you a call p>
“Will do p>
Seren didn’t linger. She left quietly.
Large transfers always took a little time to process. Only after she stepped into the elevator did she get the notification: two hundred and forty thousand had arrived in her account.
Seeing that much money in her balance almost felt unreal.
After graduating college, she’d moved to Riverbend City, thrown herself into the entertainment
industry for Sheridan’s sake, andmet
ended up just another anonymous face in a cutthroat business. She’d barely made a living as an
actress-in fact, she’d made almost nothing.
Strictly speaking, this was her first real windfall.
The first thing Seren did was transfer one hundred and forty thousand to Old Mr. Rutledge’s account.
During those years in Riverbend City, when she had no gigs and no income, her pride had kept her from asking Zena or Thurman for help. Even when she was struggling, she’d refused to reach out.
She never found out how Old Mr. Rutledge discovered she was having a hard time, but one day, without a word he deposited a hundred thousand into her account Thanks to him, she’d been able to get by back
then. Otherwise, she couldn’t imagine how dire things would have become.
She hadn’t even made it out of The Antiquarian’s Gallery when her phone rang.
Before she could say hello, Old Mr. Rutledge’s hearty voice boomed through the receiver.
“I just got a notification-one hundred and forty thousand deposited into my account. Was that from you p>
“Yes, Grandpa. I made some money-two hundred and forty thousand p>
His voice was full of pride. “My Seren, you’re amazing. Earning that much in one
go! You’ve already outdone me at your age p>
But then he changed his tone. “You silly girl, you’re married now. Why are you sending your hard-earned money to me? I’m sending it right back. You keep it for yourself, for a rainy day p>
“I still have enough,” she said softly.
“I’ve got my pension—I have more than enough to live on. I’m old now, what do need money for? But you’re young, with so many things you’ll want and need to buy. You
never think of yourself. Keep the
money, promise me Remember it’s always good to have something set
aside-money gives you confidence p>